U.S. patent number 11,096,525 [Application Number 16/356,926] was granted by the patent office on 2021-08-24 for cheese grater.
This patent grant is currently assigned to LES PROMOTIONS ATLANTIQUES INC.. The grantee listed for this patent is LES PROMOTIONS ATLANTIQUES INC.. Invention is credited to Stephane Beliveau.
United States Patent |
11,096,525 |
Beliveau |
August 24, 2021 |
Cheese grater
Abstract
A grating device is for grating a substantially solid product
capable of being grated. A first housing of the grating device is
positioned, shaped and sized for encasing the product to be grated.
A second housing is operatively connectable to the first housing,
the second housing having a loading section configured for
receiving the product to be grated. A grating drum is rotatably
mountable about the second housing, and positioned, shaped and
sized for grating the product from the loading section of the
second housing via rotation of the grating drum against the
product. A biasing assembly is operatively cooperable with the
first housing for biasing the product to be grated inside the
loading section of the second housing towards and against the
grating drum.
Inventors: |
Beliveau; Stephane (Longueuil,
CA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LES PROMOTIONS ATLANTIQUES INC. |
Longueuil |
N/A |
CA |
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Assignee: |
LES PROMOTIONS ATLANTIQUES INC.
(Longueuil, CA)
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Family
ID: |
1000005759904 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/356,926 |
Filed: |
March 18, 2019 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20190343336 A1 |
Nov 14, 2019 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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62644016 |
Mar 16, 2018 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47J
43/255 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47J
43/25 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Eiseman; Adam J
Assistant Examiner: Brundidge; Chastin M.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Merchant & Gould P.C.
Parent Case Text
This application claims benefit of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No.
62/644,016, filed 16 Mar. 2018 and which application is
incorporated herein by reference. To the extent appropriate, a
claim of priority is made to the above disclosed application.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A grating device for grating a solid product capable of being
grated, the grating device comprising: a first housing being
positioned, shaped and sized for encasing the product to be grated;
a second housing operatively connectable to the first housing, the
second housing having a loading section being configured for
receiving the product to be grated; a grating drum rotatably
mountable about the second housing, and being positioned, shaped
and sized for grating the product from the loading section of the
second housing via a rotation of the grating drum against said
product; and a biasing assembly operatively cooperable with the
first housing for biasing the product to be grated inside the
loading section of the second housing towards and against the
grating drum; wherein the first housing comprises at least one side
wall and a bottom wall, said walls defining a containment space for
containing the biasing assembly, and for encasing the product to be
grated; wherein the first housing comprises opposite first and
second end side walls, and opposite first and second longitudinal
side walls; and wherein a plurality of side walls of the first
housing project outwardly towards the second housing; wherein
opposite upper support portions of the first housing are
complementary in shape to an outer shape of a main portion of the
second housing; wherein said main portion of the second housing is
cylindrical, and wherein said upper support portions of the first
housing are arched; wherein the longitudinal side walls have upper
recessed sections for receiving at least one finger of a user of
the grating device; and wherein the upper recessed sections are
slanted with respect to the longitudinal side walls to provide a
gripping section of the first housing.
2. A grating device according to claim 1, wherein the biasing
assembly includes at least one spring operatively extendable
between a given wall of the first housing and the product to be
grated, for urging the product to be grated towards and against the
grating drum.
3. A grating device according to claim 2, wherein a first extremity
of the at least one spring is operatively connectable to a first
pushing component configured for operatively pushing against the
given wall of the first housing, and wherein a second extremity of
the at least one spring is operatively connectable to a second
pushing component configured for operatively pushing against the
product to be grated; wherein the first pushing component is
provided with a protruding section being removably insertable into
a corresponding cavity provided about the given wall of the first
housing; wherein the corresponding cavity provided about the given
wall of the first housing is a through-hole cavity; wherein the
protruding section of the first pushing component has a rectangular
profile, and wherein the corresponding cavity provided about the
given wall of the first housing has a complementary rectangular
profile; wherein the at least one spring includes at least one pair
of springs, the springs being provided about opposite sides of a
same pushing component; wherein the least one spring includes two
pairs of springs, each pair of springs being provided about a
corresponding opposite distal side of the same pushing component;
wherein each spring is disposed about a corresponding guiding post
operatively projecting from the same pushing component; wherein
each guiding post has an elongated body extending between first and
second ends, said elongated body being shaped, positioned and sized
for allowing an operative pushing component of the grating device
to travel therealong, the first end of the guiding post being
securely affixed to a first pushing component, and the second end
of the guiding post being configured for preventing egress of the
second pushing component from the guiding post; wherein each
guiding post is slidably insertable into a corresponding bore of
the second pushing component for allowing the second pushing
component to travel freely along the elongated body of the guiding
post, and wherein the second end of each guiding post is configured
to be capped with a corresponding closing plate for preventing
egress of the second pushing component from the guiding post;
wherein each bore of the second pushing component is positioned
downwardly with respect to a corresponding supporting surface of
the second pushing component to support the product to be grated;
wherein each guiding post has an X-shaped cross-sectional profile;
and wherein the second end of each guiding post is melted onto a
corresponding receiving portion of a closing plate for creating a
permanent connection with the closing plate.
4. A grating device according to claim 3, wherein the first pushing
component comprises at least one stopping flange being positioned,
shaped and sized for delimiting a minimal distance between the
first and second pushing components when said pushing components
are compressed towards one another; wherein the at least one
stopping flange includes a pair of stopping flanges, each stopping
flange being provided about a corresponding side of the first
pushing component; wherein the least one stopping flange is further
configured for providing the first pushing component with
structural rigidity; and wherein the least one stopping flange has
a trapezoid-shaped profile.
5. A grating device according to claim 3, wherein the second
pushing component comprises a curved supporting surface for
supporting the product being biased by the biasing assembly, and to
be grated via the grating drum; and wherein the curved supporting
surface of the second pushing component is complementary to an
outer shape of the grating drum.
6. A grating device according to claim 1, wherein the grating drum
is insertable into a corresponding recess defined within the second
housing; wherein the second housing has first and second openings,
the grating drum being insertable into the second housing via the
first opening thereof, and wherein a distal rim of the grating drum
is configured to be operatively mountable and rotatable about the
second opening of the second housing; wherein the distal rim of the
grating drum is further configured to be connectable with a
securing ring being removably mountable about the second opening of
the second housing; wherein the distal rim of the grating drum is
connectable with the securing ring via an interlocking mechanism;
wherein the interlocking mechanism comprises complementary male and
female components, at least one male component being provided about
the securing ring, and at least one corresponding female component
being provided about the distal rim of the grating drum; wherein
the at least one corresponding female component is L-shaped,
including a first insertion portion and a second abutment portion;
wherein the second opening of the second housing is further
configured for releasing product having been grated by the grating
device; and wherein the securing ring is coaxially mounted with
respect to the second opening of the second housing, thereby
allowing grated product to exit through the securing ring and
corresponding second opening of the second housing.
7. A grating device according to claim 6, wherein the grating
device includes a cap being operatively mountable onto the second
opening of the second housing for selectively closing said second
opening of the second housing and preventing product having been
grated from being released; wherein the cap is removably mountable
onto the securing ring, and is positioned, shaped and sized for
selectively closing said second opening of the second housing;
wherein the cap is provided with a handling tab for facilitating
handling of the cap from the second housing; wherein the handling
tab of the cap is provided with at least one finger-receiving rib;
wherein the grating drum comprises a cylindrical grating surface
provided with a plurality of grating elements; wherein each grating
element comprises a grating body protruding from a main body of the
grating drum and having at least one grating cavity for allowing
the product to be grated via a driving of the grating drum along a
given direction of rotation; wherein each grating element has
opposite first and second grating cavities for allowing the product
to be grated via a driving of the grating drum along opposite
directions of rotation; wherein each grating cavity of each grating
element has at least one cutting edge; and wherein each grating
element is symmetrical about a center line thereof.
8. A grating device according to claim 7, wherein the grating
elements are punched into the grating drum; wherein the grating
drum comprises a plurality of slanted rows of grating elements
disposed about the cylindrical grating surface of the grating drum;
wherein a first slanted row of grating elements is positionally
offset with respect to an adjacent second slanted row of grating
elements; wherein the second slanted row of grating elements is
positionally offset with respect to an adjacent third slanted row
of grating elements; wherein the third slanted row of grating
elements is positionally offset with respect to an adjacent fourth
slanted row of grating elements; wherein grating elements of the
fourth slanted row of grating elements are aligned with respect to
grating elements of the first slanted row of grating elements;
wherein a first given slanted row of grating elements includes
seven grating elements, and wherein a second adjacent slanted row
of grating elements includes eight grating elements; and wherein
the grating drum is made of stainless steel.
9. A grating device according to claim 1, wherein first and second
opposite rims of the grating drum are provided respectively with
corresponding first and second covering inserts; wherein the
covering inserts are overmolded onto the opposite rims of the
grating drum; wherein the opposite rims of the grating drum are
provided with corresponding indents for receiving the corresponding
covering inserts; wherein the covering inserts are made of a
polymeric material; and wherein a first covering insert is
configured for receiving a corresponding handle to rotatably drive
the grating drum, and wherein a second covering insert is
configured to cooperate with a securing component of the grating
drum.
10. A grating device according to claim 9, wherein the handle is
provided with a rotating knob being pivotally mountable about a
distal end of the handle; wherein the knob comprises opposite first
and second flattened sides for ergonomic handling by a user of the
grating device; wherein the handle is operatively mountable into
the first covering insert of the grating drum via a corresponding
connection mechanism; wherein the connection mechanism comprises at
least one clip disposed about a bottom section of the handle; and
wherein the connection mechanism comprises four clips being
distanced with respect to one another about a bottom section of the
handle.
11. A grating device according to claim 1, wherein the first
housing comprises at least one bottom anti-skidding pad.
12. A grating device according to claim 1, wherein the first
housing comprises a pair of elongated bottom anti-skidding pads,
said pads being positioned at opposite sides of the first
housing.
13. A grating device according to claim 1, wherein the second
housing is operatively and removably connectable to the first
housing via at least one interlocking assembly.
14. A grating device according to claim 13, wherein the at least
one interlocking assembly comprises complementary male and female
components, at least one male component being provided about the
second housing, and at least one corresponding female component
being provided about the first housing.
15. A grating device according to claim 13, wherein the at least
one interlocking assembly comprises a pair of spaced-apart
projecting tabs provided about the second housing, said pair of
spaced-apart projecting tabs being removably insertable into a pair
of corresponding orifices provided on opposite side walls of the
first housing.
16. A grating device grating device for grating a solid product
capable of being grated, the grating device comprising: a first
housing being positioned, shaped and shaped for encasing the
product to be grated; a second housing operatively connectable to
the first housing, the second housing having a loading section
being configured for receiving the product to be grated; a grating
drum rotatably mountable about the second housing, and being
positioned, shaped and sized for grating the product from the
loading section of the second housing via a rotation of the grating
drum against said product; and a biasing assembly operatively
cooperable with the first housing for biasing the product to be
grated inside the loading section of the second housing towards and
against the grating drum; wherein the biasing assembly includes at
least one spring operatively extendable between a given wall of the
first housing and the product to be grated, for urging the product
to be grated towards and against the grating drum; and wherein a
first extremity of the at least one spring is operatively
connectable to a first pushing component configured for operatively
pushing against the given wall of the first housing, and wherein a
second extremity of the at least one spring is operatively
connectable to a second pushing component configured for
operatively pushing against the product to be grated; wherein the
first pushing component is provided with a protruding section being
removably insertable into a corresponding cavity provided about the
given wall of the first housing; wherein the corresponding cavity
provided about the given wall of the first housing is a
through-hole cavity; wherein the protruding section of the first
pushing component has a rectangular profile, and wherein the
corresponding cavity provided about the given wall of the first
housing has a complementary rectangular profile; wherein the at
least one spring includes at least one pair of springs, the springs
being provided about opposite sides of a same pushing component;
wherein the least one spring includes two pairs of springs, each
pair of springs being provided about a corresponding opposite
distal side of the same pushing component; wherein each spring is
disposed about a corresponding guiding post operatively projecting
from the same pushing component; wherein each guiding post has an
elongated body extending between first and second ends, said
elongated body being shaped, positioned and sized for allowing an
operative pushing component of the grating device to travel
therealong, the first end of the guiding post being securely
affixed to a first pushing component, and the second end of the
guiding post being configured for preventing egress of the second
pushing component from the guiding post; wherein each guiding post
is slidably insertable into a corresponding bore of the second
pushing component for allowing the second pushing component to
travel freely along the elongated body of the guiding post, and
wherein the second end of each guiding post is configured to be
capped with a corresponding closing plate for preventing egress of
the second pushing component from the guiding post; wherein each
bore of the second pushing component is positioned downwardly with
respect to a corresponding supporting surface of the second pushing
component to support the product to be grated; wherein each guiding
post has a X-shaped cross-sectional profile; and wherein the second
end of each guiding post is melted onto a corresponding receiving
portion of a closing plate for creating a permanent connection with
the closing plate.
17. A grating device grating device for grating a solid product
capable of being grated, the grating device comprising: a first
housing being positioned, shaped and shaped for encasing the
product to be grated; a second housing operatively connectable to
the first housing, the second housing having a loading section
being configured for receiving the product to be grated; a grating
drum rotatably mountable about the second housing, and being
positioned, shaped and sized for grating the product from the
loading section of the second housing via a rotation of the grating
drum against said product; and a biasing assembly operatively
cooperable with the first housing for biasing the product to be
grated inside the loading section of the second housing towards and
against the grating drum; wherein the grating drum is insertable
into a corresponding recess defined within the second housing;
wherein the second housing has first and second openings, the
grating drum being insertable into the second housing via the first
opening thereof, and wherein a distal rim of the grating drum is
configured to be operatively mountable and rotatable about the
second opening of the second housing; wherein the distal rim of the
grating drum is further configured to be connectable with a
securing ring being removably mountable about the second opening of
the second housing; wherein the distal rim of the grating drum is
connectable with the securing ring via an interlocking mechanism;
wherein the interlocking mechanism comprises complementary male and
female components, at least one male component being provided about
the securing ring, and at least one corresponding female component
being provided about the distal rim of the grating drum; wherein
the at least one corresponding female component is L-shaped,
including a first insertion portion and a second abutment portion;
wherein the second opening of the second housing is further
configured for releasing product having been grated by the grating
device; and wherein the securing ring is coaxially mounted with
respect to the second opening of the second housing, thereby
allowing grated product to exit through the securing ring and
corresponding second opening of the second housing.
18. A grating device according to claim 17, wherein the grating
device includes a cap being operatively mountable onto the second
opening of the second housing for selectively closing said second
opening of the second housing and preventing product having been
grated from being released; wherein the cap is removably mountable
onto the securing ring, and is positioned, shaped and sized for
selectively closing said second opening of the second housing;
wherein the cap is provided with a handling tab for facilitating
handling of the cap from the second housing; wherein the handling
tab of the cap is provided with at least one finger-receiving rib;
wherein the grating drum comprises a cylindrical grating surface
provided with a plurality of grating elements; wherein each grating
element comprises a grating body protruding from a main body of the
grating drum and having at least one grating cavity for allowing
the product to be grated via a driving of the grating drum along a
given direction of rotation; wherein each grating element has
opposite first and second grating cavities for allowing the product
to be grated via a driving of the grating drum along opposite
directions of rotation; wherein each grating cavity of each grating
element has at least one cutting edge; and wherein each grating
element is symmetrical about a center line thereof.
19. A grating device according to claim 17, wherein first and
second opposite rims of the grating drum are provided respectively
with corresponding first and second covering inserts; wherein the
covering inserts are overmolded onto the opposite rims of the
grating drum; wherein the opposite rims of the grating drum are
provided with corresponding indents for receiving the corresponding
covering inserts; wherein the covering inserts are made of a
polymeric material; and wherein a first covering insert is
configured for receiving a corresponding handle to rotatably drive
the grating drum, and wherein a second covering insert is
configured to cooperate with a securing component of the grating
drum.
20. A grating device according to claim 17, wherein the second
housing is operatively and removably connectable to the first
housing via at least one interlocking assembly.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a grater. More particularly, the
present invention relates to a new and improved grater for grating
cheese and/or the like, and also relates to a kit for assembling
the same, and to corresponding methods of assembling, operating
and/or use associated thereto.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Devices, such as graters for example, used for grating cheese
and/or other similar substances, are well known in the art.
However, despite these known conventional devices, there is always
a need to continue innovating and finding better and/or different
ways of grating cheese (for example), in a quicker, easier,
simpler, faster, more efficient, more economical, more reliable,
more adjustable, more versatile, more adjustable, more sustainable
and/or more desirable manner.
Indeed, it would be particularly useful to be able to provide an
improved grating device which, by virtue of its design and
components, would be able to overcome or at least minimize some of
the known drawbacks associated with conventional systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a new grating
device which, by virtue of its design and components, is intended
to satisfy the above-mentioned need and which is thus an
improvement over other related graters, and/or grating devices,
systems, assemblies and/or methods known in the prior art.
In accordance with the present invention, the above main object is
achieved, as will be easily understood, with a grating device
(and/or an associated method of grating) such as the one briefly
described herein and such as the one exemplified in the
accompanying drawings.
More particularly, according to one aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a grating device for grating a
substantially solid product capable of being grated, the grating
device comprising:
a first housing being positioned, shaped and sized for encasing the
product to be grated;
a second housing operatively connectable to the first housing, the
second housing having a loading section being configured for
receiving the product to be grated;
a grating drum rotatably mountable about the second housing, and
being positioned, shaped and sized for grating the product from the
loading section of the second housing via a rotation of the grating
drum against said product; and a biasing assembly operatively
cooperable with the first housing for biasing the product to be
grated inside the loading section of the second housing towards and
against the grating drum.
The present system is particularly advantageous in that, due to its
components and features, the grating devices enables to grate
material (ex. cheese, chocolate, etc.) more conveniently and more
ergonomically.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided an assembly, a system, a station and/or a machine provided
with the above-mentioned grating device.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a method of manufacturing (ex. making, assembling, etc.)
the above-mentioned grating device.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a method of operating and/or using the above-mentioned
grating device.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided an assembly, a system, a station and/or a machine for
carrying out the above-mentioned method(s).
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a method of grating using the above-mentioned grating
device, assembly, system, station, machine, and/or components
thereof.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a method of operating the above-mentioned grating device,
assembly, system, station, machine, and/or components thereof.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a kit with corresponding components for assembling the
above-mentioned grating device, assembly, system, station, machine,
and/or components thereof.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is
also provided a set of components for interchanging with components
of the above-mentioned kit.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is
also provided a method of assembling components of the
above-mentioned kit and/or set.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is
also provided a method of doing business with the above-mentioned
method(s), kit, set, grating device, assembly, system, station,
machine, processing plant and/or components thereof.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is
also provided a product (ex. cheese, etc.) having been obtained
and/or processed (modified, altered, grated, etc.) with the
above-mentioned method(s), kit, grating device, assembly, system,
station, machine, and/or components thereof.
The objects, advantages and other features of the present invention
will become more apparent upon reading of the following
non-restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, given
for the purpose of exemplification only, with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 1-113 are different views of various aspects, components and
features of a possible grating device (i.e. "cheese grater") and/or
different configurations thereof according to preferred embodiments
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
In the following description, the same numerical references refer
to similar elements. Furthermore, for sake of simplicity and
clarity, namely so as to not unduly burden the figures with several
reference numbers, only some figures have been provided with
reference numbers, and components and features of the present
invention illustrated in other figures can be easily inferred
therefrom. The embodiments, geometrical configurations, materials
mentioned and/or dimensions (expressed in inches, for example)
shown in the figures are preferred, for exemplification purposes
only.
Moreover, although the present invention was primarily designed as
a grater for grating purposes (i.e. "cut", "remove", "detach",
"scrape", etc.) a gratable material, such as a cheese, chocolate
and/or the like (for example), it may be used with other types of
objects, and in other fields, as apparent to a person skilled in
the art. For this reason, expressions such as "grater", "grating",
"cheese", "chocolate", etc., used herein should not be taken as to
limit the scope of the present invention and includes all other
kinds of objects or fields with which the present invention could
be used and may be useful, as apparent to a person skilled in the
art.
Moreover, in the context of the present invention, the expressions
"grater", "device", "product", "system", "station", "machine",
"equipment", "method", "kit", and "assembly", as well as any other
equivalent expression(s) and/or compound(s) word thereof known in
the art will be used interchangeably, as apparent to a person
skilled in the art. This applies also for any other mutually
equivalent expressions, such as, for example: a) "producing",
"manufacturing", "cutting", "processing", "altering", "modifying",
"changing", etc.; b) "grating", "cutting", "removing", "detaching",
"separating", "scraping", etc.; as well as for any other mutually
equivalent expressions, pertaining to the aforementioned
expressions and/or to any other structural and/or functional
aspects of the present invention, as also apparent to a person
skilled in the art. Also, in the context of the present
description, expressions such as "can", "may", "might", "will",
"could", "should", "would", etc., may also be used interchangeably,
whenever appropriate, as also apparent to a person skilled in the
art.
Furthermore, in the context of the present description, it will be
considered that all elongated objects will have an implicit
"longitudinal axis" or "centerline", such as the longitudinal axis
of a shaft, or the centerline of a hole, for example (and as a
result, there is a "transversal axis" being substantially
"perpendicular" for each longitudinal axis, etc.), and that
expressions such as "connected" and "connectable", or "mounted" and
"mountable", may be interchangeable, in that the present invention
also relates to a kit with corresponding components for assembling
a resulting fully assembled and operational grating device (and/or
simply "grater") for grating purposes and/or the like, such as with
cheese, for example.
Moreover, components of the machine(s) and/or steps of the
method(s) described herein could be modified, simplified, altered,
omitted and/or interchanged, without departing from the scope of
the present invention, depending on the particular applications
which the present invention is intended for, and the desired end
results, as briefly exemplified herein and as also apparent to a
person skilled in the art.
In addition, although the preferred embodiment of the present
invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings may comprise
various components, and although the preferred embodiments of the
grating device and/or associated method(s) (ex. of assembling,
operating, use, etc.) may consist of certain preferred steps and
components as explained herein, not all of these steps and
components are essential to the invention and thus should not be
taken in their restrictive sense, i.e. should not be taken as to
limit the scope of the present invention. It is to be understood,
as also apparent to a person skilled in the art, that other
suitable steps, components and cooperation thereinbetween, may be
used for the present method and corresponding grating device (as
well as corresponding components) according to the present
invention, as will be briefly explained hereinafter and as can be
easily inferred herefrom by a person skilled in the art, without
departing from the scope of the invention.
LIST OF NUMERICAL REFERENCES FOR SOME OF THE CORRESPONDING POSSIBLE
COMPONENTS ILLUSTRATED IN THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
1. grating device 3. product to be grated (ex. cheese, chocolate,
etc.) 5. first housing (of grating device) 5a. first end side wall
(of first housing) 5b. second end side wall (of first housing) 5c.
first longitudinal side wall (of first housing) 5d. second
longitudinal side wall (of first housing) 7. second housing (of
grating device) 9. loading section (of second housing) 11. grating
drum (of grating device) 11a. first rim (of grating drum) 11b.
second rim (of grating drum) 13. biasing assembly (of grating
device) 15. spring (of biasing assembly) 15a. first extremity (of
spring) 15b. second extremity (of spring) 17. wall (of first
housing) 19. first pushing component 21. second pushing component
23. protruding section (of first pushing component) 25. cavity
(provided about the wall) 27. guiding post (for spring) 27a. first
end (of guiding post) 27b. second end (of guiding post) 27c.
elongated body (of guiding post) 29. bore (of second pushing
component) 31. closing plate 33. supporting surface (of second
pushing component) 35. stopping flange (of first pushing component)
37. recess (defined within the second housing) 39. first opening
(of second housing) 41. second opening (of second housing) 43.
distal rim (of grating drum) 45. securing ring 47. interlocking
mechanism (for securing ring and grating drum) 47a. male component
(of interlocking mechanism) 47b. female component (of interlocking
mechanism) 47c. first insertion portion (of female component of
interlocking mechanism) 47d. second abutment portion (of female
component of interlocking mechanism) 49. cap (of grating device)
51. handling tab (of cap) 53. finger-receiving rib (of handling
tab) 55. grating element (of grating drum) 55a. first grating
cavity (of grating element) 55b. second grating cavity (of grating
element) 55c. grating body (of grating element) 55d. cutting edge
(of grating element) 57. row (of grating elements) 57a. first
slanted row (of grating elements) 57b. second slanted row (of
grating elements) 57c. third slanted row (of grating elements) 57d.
fourth slanted row (of grating elements) 59. covering insert (of
first rim of grating drum) 61. covering insert (of second rim of
grating drum) 63. indent (of rim for receiving covering insert) 65.
handle (for rotating grating drum) 67. securing component (of
grating drum) 69. knob (of handle) 69a. first flattened side (of
knob) 69b. second flattened side (of knob) 71. connection mechanism
(for connecting handle to covering insert) 73. clip (of connection
mechanism) 75. finger-receiving section (of longitudinal side wall)
77. anti-skidding pad 79. interlocking assembly (for interlocking
first and second housings) 79a. male component (of interlocking
assembly) 79b. female component (of interlocking assembly) 79c. tab
(of interlocking assembly) 79d. orifice (of interlocking
assembly)
The present grating device is particularly advantageous in that, by
virtue of its design, components and features, as better described
and illustrated herein, it enables to grate material (ex. cheese,
chocolate, etc.) more conveniently and more ergonomically. The
present system also advantageously allows to grate cheese in a
quicker, easier, simpler, faster, more efficient, more economical,
more reliable, more adjustable, more versatile, more adjustable,
more sustainable and/or more desirable manner than what is possible
with other conventional graters.
The present grating device (1) may come in the form of a grating
device (1) including one and/or several of the following possible
components and features (and/or different possible combination(s)
and/or permutation(s) thereof):
For example, and according to one possible embodiment of the
present system, as can be easily understood when referring to the
accompanying drawings, for example, there is provided a grating
device (1) for grating a substantially solid product (3) capable of
being grated, the grating device (1) comprising: a) a first housing
(5) being positioned, shaped and sized for encasing the product (3)
to be grated; b) a second housing (7) operatively connectable to
the first housing (5), the second housing (7) having a loading
section (9) being configured for receiving the product (3) to be
grated; c) a grating drum (11) rotatably mountable about the second
housing (7), and being positioned, shaped and sized for grating the
product (3) from the loading section (9) of the second housing (7)
via a rotation of the grating drum (11) against said product (3);
and d) a biasing assembly (13) operatively cooperable with the
first housing (5) for biasing the product (3) to be grated inside
the loading section (9) of the second housing (7) towards and
against the grating drum (11).
The biasing assembly (13) may include at least one spring (15)
operatively extendable between a given wall (17) (ex. a bottom
wall) of the first housing (5) and the product (3) to be grated,
for urging the product (3) to be grated towards and against the
grating drum (11).
According to a possible embodiment, a first extremity (15a) of the
at least one spring (15) may be operatively connectable to a first
pushing component (19) configured for operatively pushing against
the given wall (17) (ex. a bottom wall) of the first housing (5),
and a second extremity (15b) of the at least one spring (15) may be
operatively connectable to a second pushing component (21)
configured for operatively pushing against the product (3) to be
grated.
Optionally, the first pushing component (19) is provided with a
protruding section (23) being removably insertable into a
corresponding cavity (25) provided about the given wall (17) (ex. a
bottom wall) of the first housing (5). The corresponding cavity
(25) provided about the given wall (17) (ex. a bottom wall) of the
first housing (5) may be a through-hole cavity, and the protruding
section (23) of the first pushing component (19) may have a
rectangular profile, for example, and thus, the corresponding
cavity (25) provided about the given wall (17) (ex. a bottom wall)
of the first housing (5) may have a complementary rectangular
profile.
The at least one spring (15) may include at least one pair of
springs (15), with the springs (15) being provided about opposite
sides of a same pushing component, for example. Alternatively, the
least one spring (15) may also include two pairs of springs (15),
with each pair of springs (15) being provided about a corresponding
opposite distal side of the same pushing component, for
example.
According to a possible embodiment, each spring (15) can be
disposed about a corresponding guiding post (27) operatively
projecting from the same pushing component, and each guiding post
(27) may have an elongated body (27c) extending between first and
second ends (27a,27b), said elongated body (27c) being shaped,
positioned and sized for allowing an operative pushing component of
the grating device (1) to travel therealong, the first end (27a) of
the guiding post (27) being securely affixed to a first pushing
component (19), and the second end (27b) of the guiding post (27)
being configured for preventing egress of the second pushing
component (21) from the guiding post (27).
Optionally also, each guiding post (27) may be slidably insertable
into a corresponding bore (29) of the second pushing component (21)
for allowing the second pushing component (21) to travel freely
along the elongated body (27c) of the guiding post (27), and the
second end (27b) of each guiding post (27) may be configured to be
capped with a corresponding closing plate (31) for preventing
egress of the second pushing component (21) from the guiding post
(27).
According to a possible embodiment, each bore (29) of the second
pushing component (21) may be positioned downwardly with respect to
a corresponding supporting surface (33) of the second pushing
component (21) intended to support the product (3) to be
grated.
Optionally also, each guiding post (27) can have a substantially
X-shaped cross-sectional profile, although various other types of
profiles are possible.
According to another possible embodiment, the second end (27b) of
each guiding post (27) is melted onto a corresponding receiving
portion of a closing plate (31) for creating a permanent connection
with the closing plate (31), although various other types of
connections are also possible.
As can be easily understood when referring to the accompanying
drawings, the first pushing component (19) may comprise at least
one stopping flange (35) being positioned, shaped and sized for
delimiting a minimal distance between the first and second pushing
components (19,21) when said pushing components (19,21) are
compressed towards one another. The at least one stopping flange
(35) may include a pair of stopping flanges (35), each stopping
flange (35) being provided about a corresponding side of the first
pushing component (19). The least one stopping flange (35) may be
further configured for providing the first pushing component (19)
with structural rigidity. According to one possible embodiment, the
least one stopping flange (35) has a substantially trapezoid-shaped
profile, although various other types of profiles are possible.
As can be easily understood also, the second pushing component (21)
may comprise a curved supporting surface (33) for supporting the
product (3) being biased by the biasing assembly (13), and to be
grated via the grating drum (11), and the curved supporting surface
(33) of the second pushing component (21) may be complementary to
an outer shape of the grating drum (11), for example.
According to a possible embodiment, the grating drum (11) is
insertable into a corresponding recess (37) defined within the
second housing (7). The second housing (7) may have first and
second openings (39,41), with the grating drum (11) being
insertable into the second housing (7) via the first opening (39)
thereof, and a distal rim (43) of the grating drum (11) being
configured to be operatively mountable and rotatable about the
second opening (41) of the second housing (7). The distal rim (43)
of the grating drum (11) may be further configured to be
connectable with a securing ring (45) being removably mountable
about the second opening (41) of the second housing (7).
Optionally, the distal rim (43) of the grating drum (11) is
connectable with the securing ring (45) via an interlocking
mechanism (47). According to one possible embodiment, the
interlocking mechanism (47) may comprise complementary male and
female components (47a,47b), at least one male component (47a)
being provided about the securing ring (45), and at least one
corresponding female (47b) component being provided about the
distal rim (43) of the grating drum (11), and the at least one
corresponding female (47b) component may be L-shaped, including a
first insertion portion (47c) and a second abutment portion (47d),
for example.
As can be easily understood when referring to the accompanying
drawings, the second opening (41) of the second housing (7) may be
further configured for releasing product having been grated by the
grating device (1), and the securing ring (45) may be coaxially
mounted with respect to the second opening (41) of the second
housing (7), thereby allowing grated product to exit through the
securing ring (45) and corresponding second opening (41) of the
second housing (7), for example.
As also shown, the grating device (1) may include a cap (49) being
operatively mountable onto the second opening (41) of the second
housing (7) for selectively closing said second opening (41) of the
second housing (7) and thus preventing product having been grated
from being released. The cap (49) may be removably mountable onto
the securing ring (45), and is positioned, shaped and sized for
selectively closing said second opening (41) of the second housing
(7). The cap (49) may also be provided with a handling tab (51) for
facilitating handling (ex. removal) of the cap (49) from the second
housing (7) (and/or from the securing ring (45)). The handling tab
(51) of the cap (49) could also be provided with at least one
finger-receiving rib (53), for example.
As can also be easily understood when referring to the accompanying
drawings, the grating drum (11) may comprise a cylindrical grating
surface provided with a plurality of grating elements (55). Each
grating element (55) may comprise a grating body (55c) protruding
from a main body of the grating drum (11) and having at least one
grating cavity (55a,55b) for allowing the product (3) to be grated
via a driving of the grating drum (11) along a given direction of
rotation. Each grating element (55) may also have opposite first
and second grating cavities (55a, 55b) for allowing the product (3)
to be grated via a driving of the grating drum (11) along opposite
directions of rotation. According to a possible embodiment, each
grating cavity (55a,55b) of each grating element (55) has at least
one cutting edge (55d), each grating element (55) may be
symmetrical about a center line thereof, and/or the grating
elements (55) may be punched into the grating drum (11), for
example, etc.
According to a possible embodiment, the grating drum (11) may
comprise a plurality of slanted rows (57) of grating elements (55)
disposed about the cylindrical grating surface of the grating drum
(11). For example, a first slanted row (57a) of grating elements
(55) may be positionally offset with respect to an adjacent second
slanted row (57b) of grating elements (55). Similarly, the second
slanted row (57b) of grating elements (55) may be positionally
offset with respect to an adjacent third slanted row (57c) of
grating elements (55). Similarly also, the third slanted row (57c)
of grating elements (55) may be positionally offset with respect to
an adjacent fourth slanted row (57d) of grating elements (55).
Optionally also, grating elements (55) of the fourth slanted row
(57d) of grating elements (55) could be aligned with respect to
grating elements (55) of the first slanted row (57a) of grating
elements (55).
According to a particular embodiment, a first given slanted row
(57a) of grating elements (55) includes seven grating elements
(55), and a second adjacent slanted row (57b) of grating elements
(55) includes eight grating elements. The grating drum (11) may be
made of stainless steel, for example, although various other types
of suitable materials could also be used for the present grating
device (1).
As can be easily understood when referring to the accompanying
drawings, first and second opposite rims (11a,11b) of the grating
drum (11) may be provided respectively with corresponding first and
second covering inserts (59,61). The covering inserts (59, 61) may
be overmolded onto the opposite rims (11a, 11b) of the grating drum
(11), for example. The opposite rims (11a, 11b) of the grating drum
(11) could also be provided with corresponding indents (63) for
receiving the corresponding covering inserts (59, 61). According to
a possible embodiment, the covering inserts (59, 61) are made of a
polymeric material (ex. ABS, etc.), for example, although various
other types of suitable materials could also be used.
According to a possible embodiment, a first covering insert (59) is
configured for receiving a corresponding handle (65) intended to
rotatably drive the grating drum (11), and a second covering insert
(61) is configured to cooperate with a securing component (67) of
the grating drum (11). The handle (65) may be provided with a
rotating knob (69) being pivotably mountable about a distal end of
the handle (65), for example. Optionally also, the knob (69) may
comprise opposite first and second flattened sides (69a, 69b) for
ergonomic handling by a user of the grating device (1). The handle
(65) may be operatively mountable into the first covering insert
(59) of the grating drum (11) via a corresponding connection
mechanism (71), which may comprise at least one clip (73) disposed
about a bottom section of the handle (65), for example. According
to a particular embodiment, the connection mechanism (71) may
comprise four clips (73) being distanced with respect to one
another (ex. equally) about a bottom section of the handle
(65).
As can be easily understood when referring to the accompanying
drawings, the first housing (5) may comprise at least one side wall
and a bottom wall (5e), said walls defining a containment space for
containing the biasing assembly (13), and for encasing the product
(3) to be grated. According to a particular embodiment, the first
housing (5) may comprise opposite first and second end side walls
(5a, 5b), and opposite first and second longitudinal side walls
(5c, 5d), for example, and a plurality of side walls of the first
housing (5) may be curved outwardly towards the second housing (7),
for example.
Optionally also, opposite upper support portions of the first
housing (5) may be complementary in shape to an outer shape of a
main portion of the second housing (7). For example, the main
portion of second housing (7) may be substantially cylindrical, in
which case, the upper support portions of the first housing (5) may
be arched, for example.
According to a possible embodiment, the longitudinal side walls
(5c, 5d) may have upper support finger-receiving sections (75) for
receiving at least one finger of a user of the grating device (1),
and the upper finger-receiving sections (75) may be slanted, for
example, with respect to the longitudinal side walls (5c, 5d), to
provide a gripping section of the first housing (5).
Optionally also, the first housing (5) may comprises at least one
bottom anti-skidding pad (77), and according to a particular
embodiment, the first housing (5) comprises a pair of elongated
bottom anti-skidding pads (77), said pads (77) being positioned at
opposite sides of the first housing (5), for example.
As can be easily understood when referring to the accompanying
drawings, the second housing (7) is operatively and removably
connectable to the first housing (5) via at least one interlocking
assembly (79), and the at least one interlocking assembly (79) may
comprise complementary male and female components (79a,79b), with
at least one male component (79a) being provided about the second
housing (7), and at least one corresponding female component (79b)
being provided about first housing (5), for example. Optionally
also, the at least one interlocking assembly (79) may comprises a
pair of spaced-apart projecting tabs (79c) provided about the
second housing (7), said pair of spaced-apart projecting tabs (79c)
being removably insertable into a pair of corresponding orifices
(79d) provided on opposite side walls of the first housing (5), for
example. Various other types of interlocking assemblies (79) could
also be used for the present grating device (1).
As may now better be appreciated, the present invention is a
substantial improvement over the know prior art in that, by virtue
of its design and components, as explained herein, and the
particular configuration of the grating device and/or
components/accessories thereof according to the present system
enable to grate material (ex. cheese, chocolate, etc.) more
conveniently and ergonomically. The present system also
advantageously allows to grate cheese in a quicker, easier,
simpler, faster, more efficient, more economical, more reliable,
more adjustable, more versatile, more adjustable, more sustainable
and/or more desirable manner than what is possible with other known
conventional grating devices and/or methods.
Of course, and as can be easily understood by a person skilled in
the art, the scope of the claims should not be limited by the
possible embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given
the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a
whole.
Furthermore, although preferred embodiments of the present
invention have been briefly described herein and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is
not limited to these embodiments and that various changes and
modifications could be made without departing form the scope and
spirit of the present invention, as defined in the appended claims
and as apparent to a person skilled in the art.
* * * * *